Homeless and Foster Youth Liaisons

  • At Taft Union High School District, we want every student to feel supported and welcomed. If your child is experiencing homelessness, transitional living with other families or living in foster care, they have the same right as all students to a free and appropriate public education. This includes access to public programs and the same learning opportunities as their peers. We are here to help make sure your child has what they need to succeed.

    Homeless Youth

    Homeless children and youth or students experiencing homelessness means students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (Education Code 48859; 42 USC Section 11434a). This definition also includes:

    • Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason

    • Children who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or shelters,

    • Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings

    • Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or

    • Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above

    Unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. (Education Code 48859; 42 USC 11434a)

     

    The district must ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness are able to participate fully in school activities and that barriers to identification, enrollment, and retention in school are removed.  The district has policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated. (Board Policy 6173). 

    Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to:

    • Immediate enrollment with full & equal opportunity to succeed in school.

    • Choice between neighborhood school or school of origin (school last enrolled in or attended), as is feasible.

    • Transportation to school of origin.

    • Immediate access to free school meals & educational services for which they are eligible. 

    • Referrals to appropriate community support services.

    • Access to dispute resolution process. 

    Foster Youth

    Foster Youth Education Rights - Foster Youth Services (CA Dept. of Education)

    Available Assistance

    Children and youth eligible for McKinney-Vento Homeless Education can receive support services including:

    • Clothing

    • Food Assistance

    • School Supplies

    • Medical & Dental Services

    • Eyeglasses and hearing aids

    • Counseling 

    • Extended Learning Services

    • Outreach Services

    • Transportation to and from the school of origin

    • Student fees

     

     

    For questions about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education, contact the District Liaison:

    Stacey Stansberry

    Director of Education Technology and Curricular Innovation

     (661) 763-2300, Extension 331 

     email sstansberry@taftunion.org
Last Modified on September 23, 2025